contentment in giving & receiving, - philippians ... - Capitol Commission
CONTENTMENT IN GIVING & RECEIVING, - PHILIPPIANS 4:14-19
WYOMING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013
Dan File, PO Box 1088, Lake Cit y, CO 82135-1088/303-345-8830 / [email protected]
In a world that breeds discontentment and desire for what we don’t have, Paul moves us
we too must keep in mind that it is a noble act to faithfully assist the work of
towards not only right attitudes, thoughts and actions but an acceptance of where God has
ministry with our gifts. Our obedient giving from the heart reflects our
us and what He has provided for us. Living a life of contentment is another key to
concern for the welfare of those in ministry and pleases God. It visibly
standing firm in the faith. What does true contentment mean? Biblical contentment
demonstrates godly character in our lives.
means we are satisfied with the position we are in and the possessions we have before God in a trusting way. True contentment can only come from God as we are satisfied with
Keep in mind that the Philippians were not rich. Paul many times described
what He has provided and where He has placed us. We are satisfied and at peace in the
the churches he started and ministered to as poor. 2 Corinthians 8:1-3 states
midst of any situation or circumstance. Then Paul comes to the obvious conclusion that in
the churches of Macedonia were in “deep poverty.” In spite of their poor
God’s will for him, he could do all things, suffer all things, be content in all things, endure
conditions, they were faithful stewards and had given to God even in their
all things because of Christ Who lives within him and does the strengthening in his life.
poverty. And this reveals their contentment and sufficiency in Christ as well.
With this in mind, let’s proceed in our study of Philippians 4.
Out of poverty they gave sacrificially to share with Paul in his need, trusting in God’s provision for their needs!
I. CONTENTMENT IN GIVING OR RECEIVINGPHILIPPIANS 4:14-19
B. GIVING ENABLES MINISTRY– PHIL. 4:15-16
“Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. You yourselves also
“You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left
know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no
Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;
church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in
for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.” Phil. 4:15-16
Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what your have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Paul makes it clear in these verses that no other church provided for him except the Philippians after he left Macedonia. During Paul’s time of distress and hardship, Paul was grateful for the Philippians generosity to him. Even as Paul continued to trust the Lord through his hardships, God
Philippians 4:14-19
used fellow believers to meet his needs. And Paul clearly wanted to express
Paul knew he was in the will of God and he knew he would be the continual
his needs. These gifts enabled Paul to minister to the Thessalonians without
recipient of God’s providential care. This resulted in the certain confidence
regard to financial need. Paul could focus completely on the ministry of
that wherever he was, or in whatever circumstances he found himself, he
teaching God’s Word and sharing the gospel and these gifts spoke of the
was there by divine appointment!! It wasn’t that Paul had everything he
Philippians maturity in Christ.
his gratitude. Paul notes that the Philippians sent a gift “more than once” for
wanted and therefore he was content. No, Paul was in chains and yet fully satisfied because he trusted in a sovereign God and his satisfaction was found in the all sufficiency of Christ regardless of his circumstances. And Paul assures the Philippians that just as God provided for him, He would
Keep in mind Paul’s theme of contentment that continues to weave through these verses. He doesn’t ever complain or express a lack in his provision. Paul was grateful and content with whatever the gift because he was content
provide and care for them.
with the Giver, God Almighty. Are we content and fully satisfied with what
A. GIVING IS A NOBLE MINISTRY– PHIL. 4:14
sufficiency in Christ? And do you realize that giving is a noble ministry that
God has provided? Can we live with little and still rejoice, secure in our enables the work of ministry to continue? Is giving a continual expression
“Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.” Phil. 4:14
of your secure relationship with Jesus Christ even if you don’t have much?
In Philippians 4:14, Paul uses the words “done well”. It refers to doing
C. GIVING RESULTS IN ETERNAL BLESSINGS– PHIL. 4:17
something noble and in beautiful character. Paul commends the Philippians for their giving because their gift was a noble act, an honest expression from
“Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.”
their hearts of their love for God and desire to be a part of His work. Their
Philippians 4:17
giving was an act that outwardly expressed their inward, godly character. So
BIBLE STUDIES LEGISLATORS, GOVERNOR, STAFF & SPOUSES: WEDNESDAY, 6:30AM, BREAKFAST SERVED WYOMING STATE CAPITOL, HERSCHLER BUILDING COMMONS AREA
Capitol Commission, Wyoming Contentment in Giving & Receiving, Philippians 4:14-19
Paul was indeed thankful for the gifts from the Philippians, but he wasn’t as
the right attitude were pleasing to God, acceptable with a fragrant aroma.
concerned for himself as he was the Philippians. Paul’s true joy stemmed
Therefore it is clear that these believers gave with the right motive, the right
from knowing the blessings the Philippians would receive from giving to the
heart and that resulted in pleasing God. Their giving was an act of their
Lord’s work. What an amazing attitude! The Philippians gave from hearts
worship to God and so our giving must be the same: with a sincere and
that were committed to God and His work. Their gifts overflowed from
selfless attitude to further the kingdom of Jesus Christ!
their love for Jesus Christ. As a result, Paul encourages them that they were adding eternal dividends to their spiritual account. Jesus referred to this in
E. CONTENT: FULLY SATISFIED IN THE GIVER–
Matthew 6:19-20 where He taught about “laying up treasures in heaven.”
PHILIPPIPANS 4:19
God doesn’t need our help for He will provide for His work whether we
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
give or not. It is a privilege that God allows us to be a part and as a result,
Philippians 4:19
we are blessed with eternal rewards. But, giving to the Lord’s work can often be a sensitive subject because it deals with our resources. We forget quickly that all we have belongs to the Lord, so as we give we are giving back to God what is His anyway. Our perspective in giving shouldn’t be how much I should tithe or give to the Lord, but rather, how much should I dare keep for myself! Remember Philippians 2:3-5, “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves, do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…” As we live and give with this attitude in mind, we store up treasures in heaven. Paul received from the Philippians, gifts that furthered the ministry of Jesus Christ and Philippians received eternal blessings with eternal rewards!
Paul reminds the Philippians with certain assurance that “God will” provide. In the Greek the word “will” means to fill up, to supply completely. This same Greek word is used in Matthew 5:17 where Jesus is referring to His second coming and how He will completely fulfill the law of the Old Testament. Jesus totally, completely and fully satisfied the requirements of the law. The sense of the word is the same here; that God will completely and fully satisfy all our needs. Paul learned to trust in God’s providence and sovereignty and wanted to assure the Philippians of His provision for them. How will God supply our needs? Paul writes, “according to the His riches in glory in Christ”! God promises those who are faithful and devoted to Christ will have all of their true needs met with fullness and completeness. This is not
D. CONTENT: FULLY SATISFIED WITH THE GIFT–
done “out of His riches” but rather “according to His riches.” In proportion to
PHILIPPIANS 4:18
God’s infinite riches He will supply and satisfy all our needs. God’s riches are beyond comprehension and never depleted, therefore He is able to do
“But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied,
what He says. You will never be able to out give God. We can be assured
having received from Epaphroditus what your have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable
that He will fully supply completely all our needs. What a comfort!
sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” Philippians 4:18
Remember, Paul was grateful and content with whatever the gift because he
Keep in mind that Paul was in jail, chained to a Roman guard 24 hours a day,
was content with the Giver of the gift! Paul and the Philippians gave and
seven days a week and yet he says that he has “received everything in full, he has
received with contentment; not concerned about their own personal welfare
an abundance, he is amply supplied!” In spite of his circumstances, Paul says that
but fully confident in God’s provision for them.
he has more than enough, he is filled up completely. While we may have complained that we needed more, Paul was grateful and fully satisfied with the gift that was given to spread the gospel. Paul was a man content in ministry because He was content and confident in the Lord Jesus Christ. What about you? The Philippian gifts were overflowing, in excess and more than enough to meet his needs. They gave abundantly out of their poverty and Paul’s need was met in abundance. Paul references their gifts to a fragrant aroma and an acceptable sacrifice. Only sacrifices given to God with the right heart and
Where does true contentment come from? It comes from trusting in the providence of God Almighty, from having an eternal perspective and being satisfied with little, from living joyously independent from circumstances, from being sustained by the indwelling Spirit of Jesus Christ and from being preoccupied with the spiritual well being of others instead of ourselves!
WYOMING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013
Dan File, PO Box 1088, Lake Cit y, CO 82135-1088/303-345-8830 / [email protected]
In a world that breeds discontentment and desire for what we don’t have, Paul moves us
we too must keep in mind that it is a noble act to faithfully assist the work of
towards not only right attitudes, thoughts and actions but an acceptance of where God has
ministry with our gifts. Our obedient giving from the heart reflects our
us and what He has provided for us. Living a life of contentment is another key to
concern for the welfare of those in ministry and pleases God. It visibly
standing firm in the faith. What does true contentment mean? Biblical contentment
demonstrates godly character in our lives.
means we are satisfied with the position we are in and the possessions we have before God in a trusting way. True contentment can only come from God as we are satisfied with
Keep in mind that the Philippians were not rich. Paul many times described
what He has provided and where He has placed us. We are satisfied and at peace in the
the churches he started and ministered to as poor. 2 Corinthians 8:1-3 states
midst of any situation or circumstance. Then Paul comes to the obvious conclusion that in
the churches of Macedonia were in “deep poverty.” In spite of their poor
God’s will for him, he could do all things, suffer all things, be content in all things, endure
conditions, they were faithful stewards and had given to God even in their
all things because of Christ Who lives within him and does the strengthening in his life.
poverty. And this reveals their contentment and sufficiency in Christ as well.
With this in mind, let’s proceed in our study of Philippians 4.
Out of poverty they gave sacrificially to share with Paul in his need, trusting in God’s provision for their needs!
I. CONTENTMENT IN GIVING OR RECEIVINGPHILIPPIANS 4:14-19
B. GIVING ENABLES MINISTRY– PHIL. 4:15-16
“Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. You yourselves also
“You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left
know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no
Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;
church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in
for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.” Phil. 4:15-16
Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what your have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Paul makes it clear in these verses that no other church provided for him except the Philippians after he left Macedonia. During Paul’s time of distress and hardship, Paul was grateful for the Philippians generosity to him. Even as Paul continued to trust the Lord through his hardships, God
Philippians 4:14-19
used fellow believers to meet his needs. And Paul clearly wanted to express
Paul knew he was in the will of God and he knew he would be the continual
his needs. These gifts enabled Paul to minister to the Thessalonians without
recipient of God’s providential care. This resulted in the certain confidence
regard to financial need. Paul could focus completely on the ministry of
that wherever he was, or in whatever circumstances he found himself, he
teaching God’s Word and sharing the gospel and these gifts spoke of the
was there by divine appointment!! It wasn’t that Paul had everything he
Philippians maturity in Christ.
his gratitude. Paul notes that the Philippians sent a gift “more than once” for
wanted and therefore he was content. No, Paul was in chains and yet fully satisfied because he trusted in a sovereign God and his satisfaction was found in the all sufficiency of Christ regardless of his circumstances. And Paul assures the Philippians that just as God provided for him, He would
Keep in mind Paul’s theme of contentment that continues to weave through these verses. He doesn’t ever complain or express a lack in his provision. Paul was grateful and content with whatever the gift because he was content
provide and care for them.
with the Giver, God Almighty. Are we content and fully satisfied with what
A. GIVING IS A NOBLE MINISTRY– PHIL. 4:14
sufficiency in Christ? And do you realize that giving is a noble ministry that
God has provided? Can we live with little and still rejoice, secure in our enables the work of ministry to continue? Is giving a continual expression
“Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.” Phil. 4:14
of your secure relationship with Jesus Christ even if you don’t have much?
In Philippians 4:14, Paul uses the words “done well”. It refers to doing
C. GIVING RESULTS IN ETERNAL BLESSINGS– PHIL. 4:17
something noble and in beautiful character. Paul commends the Philippians for their giving because their gift was a noble act, an honest expression from
“Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.”
their hearts of their love for God and desire to be a part of His work. Their
Philippians 4:17
giving was an act that outwardly expressed their inward, godly character. So
BIBLE STUDIES LEGISLATORS, GOVERNOR, STAFF & SPOUSES: WEDNESDAY, 6:30AM, BREAKFAST SERVED WYOMING STATE CAPITOL, HERSCHLER BUILDING COMMONS AREA
Capitol Commission, Wyoming Contentment in Giving & Receiving, Philippians 4:14-19
Paul was indeed thankful for the gifts from the Philippians, but he wasn’t as
the right attitude were pleasing to God, acceptable with a fragrant aroma.
concerned for himself as he was the Philippians. Paul’s true joy stemmed
Therefore it is clear that these believers gave with the right motive, the right
from knowing the blessings the Philippians would receive from giving to the
heart and that resulted in pleasing God. Their giving was an act of their
Lord’s work. What an amazing attitude! The Philippians gave from hearts
worship to God and so our giving must be the same: with a sincere and
that were committed to God and His work. Their gifts overflowed from
selfless attitude to further the kingdom of Jesus Christ!
their love for Jesus Christ. As a result, Paul encourages them that they were adding eternal dividends to their spiritual account. Jesus referred to this in
E. CONTENT: FULLY SATISFIED IN THE GIVER–
Matthew 6:19-20 where He taught about “laying up treasures in heaven.”
PHILIPPIPANS 4:19
God doesn’t need our help for He will provide for His work whether we
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
give or not. It is a privilege that God allows us to be a part and as a result,
Philippians 4:19
we are blessed with eternal rewards. But, giving to the Lord’s work can often be a sensitive subject because it deals with our resources. We forget quickly that all we have belongs to the Lord, so as we give we are giving back to God what is His anyway. Our perspective in giving shouldn’t be how much I should tithe or give to the Lord, but rather, how much should I dare keep for myself! Remember Philippians 2:3-5, “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves, do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…” As we live and give with this attitude in mind, we store up treasures in heaven. Paul received from the Philippians, gifts that furthered the ministry of Jesus Christ and Philippians received eternal blessings with eternal rewards!
Paul reminds the Philippians with certain assurance that “God will” provide. In the Greek the word “will” means to fill up, to supply completely. This same Greek word is used in Matthew 5:17 where Jesus is referring to His second coming and how He will completely fulfill the law of the Old Testament. Jesus totally, completely and fully satisfied the requirements of the law. The sense of the word is the same here; that God will completely and fully satisfy all our needs. Paul learned to trust in God’s providence and sovereignty and wanted to assure the Philippians of His provision for them. How will God supply our needs? Paul writes, “according to the His riches in glory in Christ”! God promises those who are faithful and devoted to Christ will have all of their true needs met with fullness and completeness. This is not
D. CONTENT: FULLY SATISFIED WITH THE GIFT–
done “out of His riches” but rather “according to His riches.” In proportion to
PHILIPPIANS 4:18
God’s infinite riches He will supply and satisfy all our needs. God’s riches are beyond comprehension and never depleted, therefore He is able to do
“But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied,
what He says. You will never be able to out give God. We can be assured
having received from Epaphroditus what your have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable
that He will fully supply completely all our needs. What a comfort!
sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” Philippians 4:18
Remember, Paul was grateful and content with whatever the gift because he
Keep in mind that Paul was in jail, chained to a Roman guard 24 hours a day,
was content with the Giver of the gift! Paul and the Philippians gave and
seven days a week and yet he says that he has “received everything in full, he has
received with contentment; not concerned about their own personal welfare
an abundance, he is amply supplied!” In spite of his circumstances, Paul says that
but fully confident in God’s provision for them.
he has more than enough, he is filled up completely. While we may have complained that we needed more, Paul was grateful and fully satisfied with the gift that was given to spread the gospel. Paul was a man content in ministry because He was content and confident in the Lord Jesus Christ. What about you? The Philippian gifts were overflowing, in excess and more than enough to meet his needs. They gave abundantly out of their poverty and Paul’s need was met in abundance. Paul references their gifts to a fragrant aroma and an acceptable sacrifice. Only sacrifices given to God with the right heart and
Where does true contentment come from? It comes from trusting in the providence of God Almighty, from having an eternal perspective and being satisfied with little, from living joyously independent from circumstances, from being sustained by the indwelling Spirit of Jesus Christ and from being preoccupied with the spiritual well being of others instead of ourselves!
